Kwankwaso Has Not Approved Any Defections to APC — NNPP Publicity Secretary

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The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has denied reports that its Kwankwasiyya movement is planning defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, insisting that no approval has been given for such a move.

Recent reports suggested that Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf might defect to the APC in early January 2026, raising concerns about internal tensions within the party, especially in its Kano stronghold.

However, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Johnson clarified that Governor Yusuf has not informed either the National Working Committee or the National Executive Committee of any intention to leave the NNPP.

“The governor has said nothing to the party leadership,” Johnson stated. “He was present at our convention two weeks ago, yet some aides claim that the people of Kano had agreed that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the governor should move to the APC. This is completely false.”

Johnson emphasised that Kwankwaso himself has neither agreed to nor authorised anyone in his group to defect to the APC or any other party.

“We’ve observed certain developments in the state that are troubling because the Kwankwasiyya movement has always been a strong, unified family. This situation is very unfortunate,” he said.

He further warned that even if Governor Yusuf decides to defect, there are no guarantees of political success in the APC. Johnson noted that the party’s internal dynamics in Kano — including aspirants backed by Deputy Senate President Barau and factions loyal to former governor Abdullahi Ganduje — would make it difficult for Yusuf to secure the party’s governorship ticket.

“Moving to the APC would place him in a weakened position because the Kwankwasiyya movement as a whole will remain with the NNPP,” Johnson explained.